Geminids meteor shower occurs every year between December 4 and 16. In 2020, it is peaking on the night of December 13th and early December 14th morning. Peak time means the time when the most meteors fall per hour. Eventhough the peak is at around 2 AM, it is generally visible from 9 PM itself and lasts through the morning hours of the next day.
What is Geminid Meteor Shower?
Most of the famous meteor showers are caused by the debris left behind by comets. Geminids on the contrary is caused by the particles that got chipped off from an asteroid named 3200 Phaethon. This asteroid orbits the Sun in around 1.4 years.
How to watch Geminids Meteor Shower?
The Geminids can be watched with naked eyes. That’s right you wont need any specialized equipment. However, it requires that you are far away from the city lights and a cloud free sky and of course a lot of patience.
The meteors can appear anywhere in the sky. However, you’ll have a better chance by gazing at whatever part of the sky is darkest from your location. It is better to look at the whole sky than a tiny part of it, and your eyes will automatically move toward any motion up above. Binoculars, telescope, cell phone, camera with a flash may not be of use; in fact, they might even dampen your chances. Avoid looking at your cell phone or other lights during the meteor shower, as it will take another 15-20 minutes for your eyes to get adjusted to the darkeness again.
Any plans by BASCOOL?
Yes, BASCOOL (Bangalore Adventure School) is arranging a camping event in the forest area at the tri-border of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. We will be camping at a campsite under Kerala tourism department – Priyadarshini Tea Environs to be precise.
The event is for 3 days and 2 nights (Saturday, Sunday & Monday). You may attend either one night or both nights. Please visit Geminids Meteor Shower Camping to know more about the plan.
If you want to know more details about our plan / how to join etc., Please join
Dean Rowe’s timelapse capture
In 2018, Dean Rowe had captured this timelapse video of Geminids meteor shower and it was featured as NASA’s Astronomy Picture Of The Day ( APOD ) on December 19, 2018
https://youtu.be/KJpQTL6V_WI